Tahiti Black pearl farm: a Polynesian treasure!

Where can you visit a pearl farm in Polynesia? Discover pearl breeding

Polynesia abounds in treasures, including the black pearl, the symbol of elegance and purity. A poetic jewel and a good-luck charm par excellence, let’s meet them in the pearl boutiques of these French islands off the Pacific Ocean.

Bora Bora | The black pearl and scuba diving

Bora Bora, birthplace of the first pearl farm in the 60s, seduces visitors with its expertise in black pearl cultivation. Join a tour of Pearl Farm Bora Bora where you can even dive to choose your own oyster, creating a unique memory to take home.

Huahine | A unique experience in the middle of a lagoon

A mysterious and unique pearl farm stands in the middle of a turquoise lagoon. Huahine Pearl Farm & Pottery is an authentic sanctuary accessible only by sea. Watch as grafters delicately insert grafts into the living mother-of-pearl that rests under a white buoy.

Also explore the handcrafted pottery store, adding an artistic touch to this immersive experience.

Between Raiatea and Tahaa | The diver’s show

The Champon Pearl Farm, located in Apu Bay between Raiatea and Tahaa, offers an impressive spectacle of divers moving around hundreds of thousands of oysters.

Explore the meticulous process of cleaning, feeding, grafting and moving oysters at different stages of their lives. A must-see stop to appreciate the craftsmanship and delicacy of pearl farming.

Fakarava | A Unesco-listed pearling heritage

We now head for Tahiti’s northeast. Several emblematic pearl farms welcome you to the heart of the Unesco-listed biosphere reserve.

Fakarava Dream Pearls is one of them. Watch six talented grafters produce thousands of pearls every year.

Gourmet travelers will be drawn to the atoll’s oldest working pearl farm: Havaiki. They’ll taste “Pārau” (lemony oysters) and be able to acquire unique mother-of-pearl jewelry.

Rangiroa | Gauguin’s Pearl, respect for the environment

It’s time for another pearl farm discovery near Tahiti. Stop off now at Rangiroa from visiting Gauguin’s Pearl. Explore the birth process of a Tahitian pearl and its eco-friendly transformation into ornament.

End your visit in the boutique, where you can purchase special souvenirs and order personalized jewelry.

Tikehau | The unusual abandoned pearl farm

Finally, discover an unusual experience in Tikehau by viewing an abandoned pearl farm, the last vestige of a bygone activity. During a scuba diving excursion, explore this site, deserted by humans, but populated by a fascinating fauna, notably manta rays, making this spot unavoidable in the archipelago.

What is the history of the Tahitian black pearl? Roots and culture

Let’s delve into the origins of the Tahitian black pearl, which has become a coveted jewel, often worn by women, the Mähü and the Raerae.

Pearl’s legends

Its tradition goes back centuries, when the local population considered it the “Queen’s Pearl” or the “Queen of Pearls“, reserved for royalty and nobility.

Add a little spice to your honeymoon by learning about the mysterious legends of black pearls across different cultures.

• The Chinese associated them with the brains of dragons, while the Greeks and Romans believed they were born from raindrops or dew collected by oysters.
• The Persians thought that pearls were the result of a thunderclap. In the East, pearls were considered the tears of angels, mermaids or mythical nymphs.
• In Polynesian mythology, the god “Oro” descended to earth on a rainbow to offer a unique pearl oyster, giving the Tahitian black pearl a mystical aura.

The arrival of pearl farming in Polynesia

Travel back in time to 1968, when Manihi became home to the first commercial pearl farm. Modern pearl farming put an end to mother-of-pearl diving and gave birth to a booming industry.

International collaboration with Japanese grafting technicians and Australian biologists marked the beginning of a new era for Tahitian black pearls.

Pearls in all shapes

Each shape has its own beauty. The round pearl is the most sought-after because it is rare and shines in prestigious jewelry. Explore the diversity of black pearl shapes:

• round ;
• semi-round ;
• circled ;
• baroque ;
• semi-baroque.

Tahitian black pearl cultivation

Collectors immerse themselves in the lagoons to gently introduce a nucleus and a graft. The submerged breeding period lasts 18 months before harvesting. It’s a complex art that gives the pearls their unique character.

Tahitian black pearl sizes

From 0,30 to 0,55 in pearls to exceptional 0,83 in gems, size is a key element of authentic quality. The rarity of the largest pearls makes them precious.

Mother-of-pearl thickness

With a minimum thickness of 80%, Tahitian black pearls are renowned for their exceptional quality.

Customs control of pearls

The sale and export of Tahitian pearls, mabés and keshis are subject to strict regulations, with visual and X-ray checks carried out by a specialized unit.

Compliance with mother-of-pearl thickness standards makes Tahitian pearls an exceptional product, synonymous with rarity and luxury.

✨ Frequently asked questions

Are Tahitian black pearls really black?

The color palette of Tahitian pearls is astonishing: charcoal gray, dark silver, shades of green… the diversity of these pearls is extraordinary.

Do Tahitian pearls come from the island of Tahiti?

Although commonly associated with Tahiti, these pearls actually come from pearl farms scattered across the islands and atolls of French Polynesia. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Tuamotus!

How many black pearls can I bring back from my trip to Tahiti?

On your trip to Tahiti, you can acquire up to ten bare pearls or 49 mounted pearls, but beyond that, customs fees apply, according to the law. Keep certificates of authenticity to trace your purchase.

How do I know if it’s a genuine Tahitian pearl? Avoid counterfeits

Tahitian cultured pearls, naturally black with dark green to midnight-blue highlights, show a faint reddish sheen under bluish light, distinguishing genuine pearls from counterfeits.

Imitations can be spotted by overly perfect necklaces and less precise drill holes, revealing signs of unevenness or roughness absent on genuine Tahitian pearls.

How do I care for a cultured pearl?

To preserve the brilliance of your Tahitian pearl:

• wear it regularly
• avoid chemical products;
• clean with a soft cloth or olive oil;
• and hydrate it by storing it next to a container of water if it’s going to be stored for a long time.